Diary extracts for Oct to December 1939

10th Oct 1939:

A note from Pittsburgh USA saying my painting of Southampton was sold, and a cheque enclosed for $250 which is at present is about £61.14/- This painting (18x50) was done last December and seemed to be a beginning of a richer phase in my work.”

16th Oct 1939:

Finished painting of Dunkirk 40x50, a reminiscence of my trip up the Scheldt.

16th Nov 1939:

Went up to London to look after the Redfern Gallery for a few days, Nan Kivell having gone to Paris for the weekend.

18th Nov 1939:

. . . a magnificent letter from Sydney Schiff who visited my show on Wednesday. he is sure that I ought to go on painting with all my energy.

25th Dec 1939:

. . . letter from Wadsworth suggesting that I was the chap to do records of the war in painting, that is if I could square this with my pacifist views. He would mention my name in an influential quarter. Personally I am all for it, it not being war propaganda and provided I had a free hand.